WHAT MAKES A CHILD, A CHILD?

‘I used to dream of being a movie star
Like the ones you see on TV
And dress just like a journalist”
Said 8 year old Sireen

“I used to put chairs together
And pretend I’m flying a plane”
He said he took his friends everywhere
As he smiled through the pain

‘I used to dream of being a footballer
Having a house like Ronaldo but a bit smaller”
It’s dreams that kept them up a bit longer
And made them resilient enough to feel stronger

They say “used to,” these children are still alive..
But now they dream of bringing their own family
back to life
And wonder what life would be like if they
happened to survive

It’s harder to sleep under rubble
Harder to dream under rubble
Just know the numbers you read
Are crushed dreams from this struggle

Saja Kilani